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CRISPR Consensus? Public debate and the future of genome editing in human reproduction
October 26, 2019
On October 26th, our Chair Fellow Fr. Prof. Joseph Tham, LC, will participate in the open symposium on public participation in ethics and policy around making heritable changes to human DNA at the University of California, Berkeley.
Credit: innovativegenomics.org
New genome editing technologies have the potential to profoundly affect the future of humanity. The ability to make direct genetic changes to the DNA of future children raises far-reaching ethical questions.
- Should it be done?
- For what purposes?
- With what limitations?
- Who should decide?
Scientific and technological advances are proceeding rapidly and need guidance from wider society about what technological futures we want—and do not want. Existing forums for diverse and inclusive public deliberation are limited, particularly at the international level. And significant questions remain about which decisions can be left to scientific experts and policymakers, and which demand public deliberation and judgment.
How should we as a human community guide and govern these emerging technologies? This symposium will explore the challenges—and possible paths forward—for public participation in charting the future of heritable genome editing by convening a dynamic conversation among stakeholders, members of the public, and a diverse group of experts from around the world.